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GCSE Physics · key term
A change in direction when a wave crosses a boundary and changes speed.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.6.1.3, 4.6.2.2 · Paper 2
The change in direction of a wave as it enters a different material and changes speed.
Revise: Reflection of wavesThe transmitted wave may change direction there: this is refraction. Passing through and bending are therefore different ideas; a refracted ray has been transmitted across the boundary.
Specification 4.9P, 4.10, 4.11, 4.16P, 5.1P, 5.9, 5.13, 5.14 · Paper 1
A change in a wave’s direction as it passes from one material into another, caused by a change in speed.
Revise: Wave Effects at InterfacesRefraction concerns the direction of a wave that crosses a boundary. If its speed changes on entering the second material, a wave arriving at an angle can change direction. Light entering glass from air is a familiar example.
The change in direction of a wave when its speed changes as it crosses a boundary between materials.
A change in a wave’s direction when it enters a substance in which it travels at a different speed.
A change in a wave’s direction when its speed changes as it passes into a different medium.
The change in direction of light as it crosses a boundary between transparent materials because its speed changes.
A change in a wave’s direction when it crosses a boundary where its speed changes.
The change in direction of a wave at a boundary between substances when its speed changes.
A change in a wave’s direction when it crosses a boundary and its speed changes.
Specification P5.3a, P5.3b, P5.3c, P5.3d, P8.3i, PAG P8 · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
A change in direction of a wave as it passes from one substance into another.
Revise: Interactions with substancesRefraction occurs when a transmitted wave changes direction as it enters another substance. It is most noticeable when the wave strikes the boundary at an angle; a wave arriving along the normal does not change direction. Different wavelengths may be refracted by different amounts.
A change in the direction of a wave caused by a change in its velocity as it passes from one substance into another.
The change in direction of light as it passes from one substance into another.
The change in direction of light as it crosses a boundary because its velocity differs between the two substances.
A change in a wave’s direction when its speed changes as it enters a different material.
The change in direction of a wave as it passes into another material and its speed changes.
Paper 1, Paper 2
A change in a wave’s speed and wavelength as it passes into a different material, which may also change its direction.
Revise: Reflection and Refraction of WavesRefraction occurs when a wave passes into a different material and its speed changes. The source still produces waves at the same rate, so the frequency stays the same at the boundary.
A change in a wave's direction caused by a change in speed as it crosses a boundary between media.
A change in a wave’s direction when its speed changes as it crosses a boundary.
Do not treat transmission and refraction as alternatives: a wave can pass into a material and change direction.
State both changes when explaining refraction: whether the wave speeds up or slows down, and whether it bends towards or away from the normal.
Do not treat absorption, transmission, reflection and refraction as mutually exclusive: a substance can produce several of these effects at once.
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